Lance Stroll has moved a step closer to replacing Felipe Massa at Williams, as the Canadian racer is now guaranteed a Formula 1 superlicence having secured two wins and a second-place finish during the Nurburgring round of the European F3.
The 17-year-old is bidding for a Formula 1 seat next season and currently holds the position of Williams development driver.
Currently Stroll, son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, is competing in the European F3 series and sits second in the standings, 149 points ahead of team-mate Nick Cassidy, and with just two races remaining, can't drop lower in the standings than fourth.
That would be enough to secure the remaining 20 points he requires for a superlicence following his Italian F4 title in 2014 (12 points) and his fifth-place finish in European F3 (eight points).
Stroll, who also turns 18 later this year – a requirement for a licence – is favourite to replace the retiring Massa as he is thought to bring with him several million in sponsorship, which would provide Williams with much needed funds as it seeks to up its performance following a disappointing season.
Stroll is currently taking part in a number of private tests in an old Williams car in order to ready him for a possible 2017 debut, with his father funding the programme which also includes a small group of Williams F1 engineers in attendance at each test.
